Mohave County miner., 1887-09-10
Report or the Grand Jury /.

1
| Judicial District Of the Territory Of Ari
zona, in and for the County Of Mohave
| in session for the September Term
! 1887, Honorable JAS. II. Wright pre-
siding: ~
The Grand Jury OF said Mohavc Coun'
ty respectfully report that immediately
upon being sworn the said Jury entered
upon the discharge OF its duties and pro.
ceeded 10 the investigation OF criminal
! charges against Albert Tucker and Her.
mann Bucksbaum. Committees were
appointed TO investigate the affairs Of the
various county officials. The several
committees having completed their labors
reported to the Grand Jury which, in
joint assembly, took action upon the va
rious reports, and from the information
SO derived. and from the evidence taken
entertain the following views:
The Grand Jury recommends that a
fence be constructed around the Jail yard,
and that jailer's room be erected.
II was found oa examination, that the
county officials have paid to the Treas
urer the fees collected by them. as requir-
ed by law, with the exception Of the Sher-
iff, who, acting upon the advice Of the
District Attorney then in Office, retained
the fees collected by him in the Justice =
court cases during the years 1858. AZ
it is tine opinion OF the present District
Attorney that these fees should have
been paid 10 the Treasurer, il is recon-.
mended that the same be recovered.
The examination Of the Recorders
Office shows that there is no provision for
the safe keeping Of the books and records
that a. the present time these records and
books are entirely unprotected from fire
or robbery also that book ''B' OF Min
ing Records, and book IS" of Deeds, are
in bad condition and should be rebound
Immediately, as they contain valuable
records.
The examination Of the Treasurer q
! office demonstrates that the system oi
keeping the public accounts therein is
susceptible OF great improvement, and
while no information obtained from the
examination OF the office warrants any
reprobation OF the official, the Jury rec.
onmends that the accounts in that Office
he kept in more systematic manner
and that, il necessary, i new get Of books
be procured.
The Grand Jury finds that the Board
OF Supervisors have awarded the contract
for the county printing TO their clerk, at
[ at what seems TO be all exorbitant price,
and believe that the proceedings Of the
Board should be curtailed and made as
brief rs possible, consistent with the law.
Ii is recommended that greater care be
exercised over the books and papers OF
this Office than has been done in the past,
as the absence OF many papers from the
files, caused by either cdlpable design or
official neglect, has very much embarass-
ed the Jury in its investigation OF the af-
fairs Of the county, and perhaps prevent.
ed the discovery Of official misconduct
and crime. Many irregularities and dis
crepancies in the public accounts have
been discovered hich have resulted from
the practice Of one official allowing or EN-.
ploying another official 10 discharge his
duties or make entries in his books and
this has been particularly observable in
instances when, in contemplation Of the
law, one such official is check upon an
other.
The jury find that in the past much
money has been lost to the people, caus-
ed by the want Of ability and integrity OF
the officials placed in office, and would
therefore further recommend that each
county official be required TO keep all Of
his books Of accounts with circumstantial
accuracy with respect to each and every
TEN however small.
The Grand Jury condemns in unmeas.
ured terms the repretensible practice Of
the selling or giving Of intoxicating
liquors TO Indians.
Nothing has been found in tho offices
Of District Attorney, Probate Judge and
the Clerk Of the Board of Supervisors tc
which attention need be directed.
The Grand Jury desires to express its
thanks to the Judge presiding over this
Court for his kindly attention TO its wants
and wishes; for his timely advice with
respect TO the manner of discharging its
duties, and for his courteous bearing In
every other respect towards its several
members.
Dated September 9th, 1897.
4. /. THoaPsos,
Foreman.
Il Al Il A.